Osteochondrosis in six breeds of slaughter pigs. I. A morphological investigation of the status of osteochondrosis in relation to breed and level of feeding
Goedegebuure, S.A.; Häni, H.J.; van der Valk, P.C.; van der Wal, P.G.
Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 105(2): 28-41
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-7453 PMID: 7352332 Document Number: 157277
The severity and extent of osteochondral lesions were examined, macroscopically, radiographically and histopathologically, in Belgian Landrace, Duroc, Dutch Landrace, Dutch Yorkshire, Hampshire and Pietrain pigs given three different levels of feeding. Duroc pigs had more severe lesions in the fore limbs than Dutch Landrace, Dutch Yorkshire, Hampshire and Pietrain pigs, while Belgian Landrace pigs had more severe lesions than Dutch Yorkshire pigs. The differences between breeds was related more to the degree of severity of the lesions in the articular surfaces of the distal humerus and proximal radius-ulna and in the distal ulnar growth plate than to the mere presence of the lesions. In the hind limbs, Belgian Landrace pigs had more severe osteochondral lesions than all other breeds, while Dutch Landrace pigs had more severe lesions than Duroc, Dutch Yorkshire, Hampshire and Pietrain pigs. Pigs with the highest growth rate showed more severe osteochondral lesions in the distal ulnar growth plate and in the medial femoral condyle than those with a more restricted growth rate.